H2O2-Oxidation of Alcohols Promoted by Polymeric Phosphotungstate Catalysts

A novel polymeric phosphotungstate catalyst bearing a poly(ethylene oxide-pyridinium) matrix was developed that efficiently promoted oxidation of a variety of alcohols, including highly sterically demanding neopentyl alcohols, with hydrogen peroxide, to afford the corresponding carbonyl compounds in up to quantitative yield The chemoselective oxidation of sterically hindered secondary alcohols in the presence of primary alcohols was achieved The catalyst could be reused four times without any loss of catalytic activity.